An open letter to horsemen from Jeff Gural

[LVGaryD]

 
As we move forward with the next phase of the Meadowlands project which consists of building a new grandstand at a cost of around $90,000,000, I am becoming increasingly concerned over the fact that it is becoming harder and harder to get horses to race at the Meadowlands.  It seems everybody likes to qualify their good horses but when it comes to racing they would rather go someplace else.  One wonders does it really make sense to build a new grandstand and try to fill it with customers young and old if there are not enough horses to race?  Our income is derived solely from wagering and only half as much as is bet on a seven horse race as is bet on a ten horse race.  The other option is to do what our competitors do and only allocate 10% of our available purse money to stakes races and 90% to overnights.  Personally, I think that would be a disaster for the industry especially in light of the problems we may face next year in Canada if WEG has to cut back on their stakes programs.

In any case, if any one has any suggestions as to the type of races they would like to see us card at the Meadowlands that would help alleviate this problem please email me at jgural@newmarkkf.com and I will discuss it with the racing department.

I appreciate that everyone is thrilled the Meadowlands is not going to close but the industry has to support the racing program and not just pick and choose the stakes races if we are going to survive.  The next few weeks will be especially difficult now that the sire stakes are ending and before the two year olds start up again so any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Headpole Dave]

You have to admire the man. He's trying his hardest to put together a solid product and gives the horsemen a not to subtle reminder that he committed to them, now he needs them to commit back to him. Plus he's more than willing to listen to what they have to say - That's good communication and shows that he's more than willing to work with the horsemen (and women), and listen to their ideas.

Gural gets an A plus from me, he's trying his best, its up to the horsemen to hold up their end of the deal to ensure the Big M is able to stick around. I know I'll try to pump a few more dollars into the wagering, although lord knows they've taken lots of my money.

[pope of vegas]

 

[pezz97]

IMO, they need to stop with these classes where you have all these conditions.

Example.   N/W $22,500 in Last 5 Starts AE: N/W $150,000 Life Optional Claiming Price $75,000 AE: 4
Year Olds

Every one of the Meadowlands Nw of $ is tied to a claiming race!

Why have 3 conditions for 1 race? Seems to me ever since they went to this, they have problems filling cards at this time of year cause other tracks have them seperate.

Yonkers, Pocono, and Phily have none of their claiming conditions combined with nw of $

[Elgin]

You can only go to the well so many times when it comes to shaming owners and horsemen into racing at the Meadowlands. Last May, after M1 opened with a solid card and good attendance and handle, only 65 horses were entered for the following Friday. Gural convinced Luchento to write a scathing letter to the horsemen and owners, and it helped. But you can

[The Giss]

If I were Jeff Gural (other than booking Herps Alive at M1 in addition to Tioga and Vernon) I would put out the following:

It seems everybody likes to qualify their good horses but when it comes to racing they would rather go someplace else. Therefore, effective June 1, a $250 fee will be charged to any horse qualifying at The Meadowlands. That fee will be rebated to the owner if the horse's first start (or first non-stakes start) is made AT the Meadowlands.

Not about making the money, but about filling the box.

[tonyb147]

IMO, they need to stop with these classes where you have all these conditions.

Example.   N/W $22,500 in Last 5 Starts AE: N/W $150,000 Life Optional Claiming Price $75,000 AE: 4
Year Olds

Every one of the Meadowlands Nw of $ is tied to a claiming race!

Why have 3 conditions for 1 race? Seems to me ever since they went to this, they have problems filling cards at this time of year cause other tracks have them seperate.

Yonkers, Pocono, and Phily have none of their claiming conditions combined with nw of $

I don't follow this nearly as much as I used to but to me this is a chicken/egg deal. Maybe they need to list multiple conditions in an effort to get full fields. There just may not be enough horses eligible for single conditions to fill fields.

They may only get 2-3 horses fitting nw22500/5
They may only get 2-3 horses fitting nw150000 life
They may only get a few 75000 claimers

By combining these you may be able to get a full field of 9 or 10. I think I understand why they need to do this but obviously it isn't helping. Ultimately horseman are going to drop in the box where purses are best (PA or Yonkers).

I don't have a problem with the multiple conditions except when one enters for a claiming tag but is tons better and has closer to 30K or 40K last 5. A recent example of this was Warning Zone who was rolling over the exact multiple condition you posted. Makes for a bad betting race.

[jordanjacob]

lots of New Jersey Sired or owned conditions still on the condition sheet this week

why should NY or PA horsemen race there if they were passed over in the winter when they needed to get raced and still may get passed over if their condition has that NJSO?


also NW 4 pari-mutuals at a big disadvantage vs. NW $10,000 last 5 starts in my opinion

won't higher purses over NY or PA fill the box anyway?

if you pick your spots like $10,000 claimers racing for $12,500 may fill several races

plenty of innovative ways to fill a card and yes I do want The Meadowlands to succeed

[freelegged]

I understand his plight, but I have no clue how he solves this.

But, thats probably why Jeff Gural has all that cash and I am scooping 5 cent returnable bottles out of trash bins. 

[Dolfan]

I understand his plight, but I have no clue how he solves this.

But, thats probably why Jeff Gural has all that cash and I am scooping 5 cent returnable bottles out of trash bins. 

Forget how he solves this.  If you're picking bottles out of garbage bins, the last thing in the world you should be hoping for is saving another track, which is probably where you're gambling your life away! 

And don't give me any of this Miami Heat crap.  I remember how you were pulling for the Mavs last year talking all about your hero Dereck Nowitski.  What a phony!

[pezz97]

Forget how he solves this.  If you're picking bottles out of garbage bins, the last thing in the world you should be hoping for is saving another track, which is probably where you're gambling your life away! 

And don't give me any of this Miami Heat crap.  I remember how you were pulling for the Mavs last year talking all about your hero Dereck Nowitski.  What a phony!

[Elgin]

Jimmy Takter

[dinkadoo]

I don't get it.

Why should horsemen be shamed into having to race anywhere ? Why is the Meadowlands " the special " place. A place where owners, trainers, and drivers should ignore what the paycheck is and race there irregardless.

From the Ohioan's on this board.... have topics been written and horsemen shamed that have gone on to race in Indiana or PA.

Should guys like Brian Brown be looked at as a traitor since he does alot of racing and purchasing of PA breds and racing over there ?

Gural, commended for his efforts but he gives about a HALF A SHIT about racing.. Which is more than most... But reallity is he wants a casino. I see his latest rant as not an ultimatum to horsemen, but one to legislature. Saying to them that you won't get the taxes of a 90 million dollar grandstand unless......

Gural --- has cut days, changed up the Jersey Breeding requirements, conditions written to fit what he has to work with.... He has alienated some horsemen and bigger stables from racing at the Meadowlands. Other tracks, yes due to the benefit of casinos, race up to 6 days a week -- 12-15 races per card, better purses == I can't fault anyone for leaving. 

He could put a surcharge on horsemen that stable there but do not race there, or on Q's,,,, but will that get the necessary result or alienate horsemen even further ?

I am sorry, but I am not on the Lets Kiss our HERO GURAL, like others. He stepped in NOT to save harness racing in Jersey ( who from a racing standpoint is a racing competitor of his other tracks ) HE STEPPED IN HOPING FOR THE POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW.    SLOTS. And there I have no problem with a guy. Risk your money to make money.....Sound like capitalism,....

[Elgin]

I don't get it.

Why should horsemen be shamed into having to race anywhere ? Why is the Meadowlands " the special " place. A place where owners, trainers, and drivers should ignore what the paycheck is and race there irregardless.

From the Ohioan's on this board.... have topics been written and horsemen shamed that have gone on to race in Indiana or PA.

Should guys like Brian Brown be looked at as a traitor since he does alot of racing and purchasing of PA breds and racing over there ?

Gural, commended for his efforts but he gives about a HALF A SHIT about racing.. Which is more than most... But reallity is he wants a casino. I see his latest rant as not an ultimatum to horsemen, but one to legislature. Saying to them that you won't get the taxes of a 90 million dollar grandstand unless......

Gural --- has cut days, changed up the Jersey Breeding requirements, conditions written to fit what he has to work with.... He has alienated some horsemen and bigger stables from racing at the Meadowlands. Other tracks, yes due to the benefit of casinos, race up to 6 days a week -- 12-15 races per card, better purses == I can't fault anyone for leaving. 

He could put a surcharge on horsemen that stable there but do not race there, or on Q's,,,, but will that get the necessary result or alienate horsemen even further ?

I am sorry, but I am not on the Lets Kiss our HERO GURAL, like others. He stepped in NOT to save harness racing in Jersey ( who from a racing standpoint is a racing competitor of his other tracks ) HE STEPPED IN HOPING FOR THE POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW.    SLOTS. And there I have no problem with a guy. Risk your money to make money.....Sound like capitalism,....

You